Though they have survived fires, insect outbreaks and logging, the forests of Europe may now face their biggest challenge ever – climate change. Disrupted weather patterns could intensify droughts, fires, storms, pest infestations, species loss, and other natural calamities harmful or even fatal to forests.

Rather than wait until Europe’s forests begin to die off, the European Union is taking steps to prevent such a catastrophe. The EU is supporting leading-edge research to help forest managers decide what kind of trees they should plant now, and what kind of pests and diseases should be monitored today so they won’t become a problem in a climate-changed future.

“Forests are incredibly complicated ecosystems that climate change can disrupt in equally complicated ways,” says Herve Jactel of the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, leader of the EU-funded research project BACCARA.

Launched in 2009 with Eur3 million in support from the EU, BACCARA is a four-year project that is working to assess how climate change will affect the biodiversity and productivity of Europe’s forests. BACCARA is one of many joint efforts being undertaken during the ‘Year of the Forests’, which the United Nations declared for 2011 in order to help conserve the biodiversity of forests and sustainably manage the world’s forestlands.

To remove some of the guesswork from managing Europe’s forests, BACCARA’s researchers are trying to predict how certain kinds of trees will fare in terms of growth and pest-resistance in the decades and centuries to come. Among their findings, researchers have learned that the very complexity of forests might be the best insurance for coping with climate change.

“Planting several different species of trees, for example, can protect forests from insect attacks better than planting just one type of tree,” Herve Jactel points out. “So if climate change can cause harmful insects to thrive, this would be a good strategy to combat pests.”

The problem for everyone involved with managing Europe’s forests is that many types of trees can live for centuries, so a tree planted today could have to deal with climate changes for a very long time. So the challenge is to design multi-species ‘mixed’ forests that are more resilient against climate hazards.

The economic stakes are high for Europe, whose forest industry is worth Eur25 billion a year and provides 4 million jobs. Totalling some 1 billion hectares, Europe has more forestland than any other region in the world – from cork-oak and cypress forests along the Mediterranean, to the Scots pine taiga of Scandinavia and mixed forests of the Caucasus.

The recent start-up of the grid interconnection between the UK and the Netherlands is a major step forward for a better interconnected electricity grid in Europe. The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) is a strong supporter of an integrated power grid in Europe and believes that the BritNed link, which has just gone live, is very significant.

“The Eur600 million investment for the 260 kilometres long High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cable with a power capacity of 1000 Megawatt between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands will provide a substantial boost to electricity trade between these two market regions. This will ultimately serve for an optimised power system operation and smoothen out the variable output of wind power plants over a large geographical area,” explains Paul Wilczek, EWEA grids advisor. “Europe is still far from a truly integrated electricity market, but every step towards a single market helps the cost efficient integration of renewable electricity generation like wind power.”

Another recent development was the day-ahead market coupling of the regions of Central-Western Europe, including France, Germany, the Benelux countries and Scandinavia last November. “In addition we now need functioning intraday markets which are crucial for efficient integration of large amounts of wind energy and for cost-efficient system operation in general,” he adds.

20 Megawatt wind turbines are feasible, according to a new report from the EU-funded UpWind project. The UpWind project explored the design limits of up-scaling wind turbines to 20 Megawatt (MW) and found that they would have rotor diameters of around 200 metres, compared to some 120 metres on today’s 5 MW turbines.

Such turbines could be a solution for expanding Europe’s offshore wind energy capacity, providing several times more electricity at lower costs than today’s turbines.

The EWEA forecasts that wind energy will meet 26-34% of Europe’s electricity demand power by 2030, with almost as much electricity coming from offshore turbines as from those onshore. 20 MW machines could be a cost-efficient way of reaching these levels of production. However, according to the UpWind report, the 20 MW turbine requires a new, innovative, tailored design to make it work.

“UpWind found that making a 20 MW machine is not as simple as just up-scaling today’s 5 MW turbines,” points out Jos Beurskens of the Netherlands’ Energy Research Centre (ECN), who led the project along with the UpWind coordinator Peter Hjuler Jensen from the Danish Technical University Risoe DTU. “We identified key innovations to the design, materials and way the turbine is operated,” adds Jos Beurskens.

Amongst the main innovations UpWind suggests for a 20 MW wind turbine are:

* Lowering fatigue loads on blades allows longer and lighter blades to be built. Loads can be lowered in the ways listed below:

* Fore-bending blades and using more flexible materials – this could lower fatigue loads by 10%.

* Using individual blade control – this could lower fatigue loads by 20-30%.

* Putting the blade in two sections (like an aeroplane wing), allowing each to be controlled separately – this could lower fatigue loads by 15%. It also makes it easier to transport the blade.

The future smart wind turbine would be able to adapt its position and the pitch of its blade to local wind conditions. In terms of wind farm layout, lowering the power output of the first row of turbines would allow for higher overall wind farm efficiency.

Although significant research is still needed, Jos Beurskens believes we could see 20 MW turbines in operation by 2020. “Intuitively, I believe we’ll see the 20 MW turbines used within 10 years. That is, providing they are the cheapest option.”

However 20 MW turbines could be an option only on paper if the EU does not invest more in wind energy research, points out Christian Kjaer, chief executive of the European Wind Energy Association. “The findings of UpWind allow the industry to significantly advance its knowledge of how to develop more cost-efficient, larger turbines, expected mostly for the huge expansion of offshore wind energy. However this knowledge will never become a reality if the EU does not make a clear commitment to wind energy research.”

China is starting to act positively on international climate targets though challenges remain. A new report by The Climate Group commissioned by the HSBC Climate Change Centre of Excellence, says the Chinese government’s decision to put a ‘clean industrial revolution’ at the heart of the nation’s 12th Five Year Plan will deliver real carbon savings that could begin to curb national emissions, unlock new investment opportunities and ensure China is seen to be “pulling its weight” on international climate targets.

The report is titled ‘Delivering Low Carbon Growth – A Guide to the 12th Five Year Plan’.

China is now the world’s second biggest economy and biggest greenhouse gas emitter, and the report findings show how the country’s new national development strategy will combine ambitious growth targets – including a 7% GDP annual growth goal – with a need to rapidly de-carbonize its coal-based economy.

For the first time in a FYP, China has set a national carbon intensity reduction target of 17% and intends to cut energy intensity by 16% by 2015. The FYP will also boost investment for seven strategic new industry sectors vital to national competitiveness and sustainability paving the way for a more efficient economy and creating higher value industries in alternative energy, low carbon transport and energy efficient products. 

Critically, the report concludes that, although real challenges remain, the pace of deployment of low carbon energy compares favourably with International Energy Agency’s World Energy Outlook 2010 scenario for stabilising atmospheric concentrations of CO2 at 450ppm by 2100, suggesting that China is “pulling its weight” relative to international expectations in this regard.

Mark Kenber, chief executive of The Climate Group, comments: “It is hugely symbolic that China is putting green growth at the core of its national development plan and should be a wake-up call to Europe and North America policy-makers that a clean tech race is well under way. This bold policy plan unequivocally aims to set China on a clear low carbon trajectory and will ensure the country remains a major global hub for clean energy technologies for years to come. However, unabated coal consumption remains a significant reality check on China’s low carbon vision and, as with other countries, a comprehensive long-term approach backed by tough action on the ground will be needed to ensure that China’s green growth strategy delivers on its undoubted promise.”

The European wind energy sector’s most prestigious award, the Poul la Cour prize, has been presented to Henrik Stiesdal, chief technology officer at Siemens Wind Power. Henrik Stiesdal was one of the pioneers of modern wind energy technology and has helped guide its development ever since.

Since 1993, the prize has been awarded to individuals who have pioneered the development of wind power and have achieved exceptional results in the wind community.

In 1978, Henrik Stiesdal met Karl Erik Jorgensen, who was to become his partner in wind turbine development. Their first 15 kilowatt prototype was inaugurated in June 1978 and the following year they delivered to their first customer.

By 1979 series production had begun and the company was named Vestas. Between 1983 and 1986, Henrik Stiesdal helped design the first pitch-regulated wind turbine for Vestas.

In March 1987, he was employed by wind turbine producer Bonus Energy and appointed technical director in 1988. When Siemens acquired Bonus Energy in 2004, this year’s winner of the Poul la Cour price was appointed chief technology officer of Siemens Wind Power.

According to the latest glass recycling estimates – published one year ahead of the official Eurostat data – more than 67% of glass bottles and jars were collected for recycling in the European Union in 2009. The figures released by FEVE, the EU Container Glass Federation, translate into about 11 million tonnes or 25 billion glass bottles and jars being collected throughout the European Union, confirming the steady and positive trend of the last years (66% in 2008).

“Glass recycling increases each year thanks to the commitment of consumers everywhere. Our industry is able to turn this waste into a valuable resource to make new bottles and jars because glass by nature is 100% recycleable,” says Niall Wall, president of FEVE – the European Container Glass Federation.

Recycling glass avoids the use of virgin raw materials, reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Glass recycling contributes to creating and securing economic growth and local employment in Europe because glass is locally collected, locally recycled and locally produced. The act of recycling means that glass producers can make use of the same materials over and over again. This characteristic of glass puts the material at the centre stage in the ambitious strategy of the European Commission to make the European Union a ‘circular economy’ where recycling is the key factor to waste reduction and where waste is considered as a valuable resource.

Belgium has the highest glass recycling rate at 96% followed by Switzerland on 95% and Netherlands on 92%. Ireland recycled 80% of its glass bottles and jars in 2009 and the UK achieved a rate of 62%.

Vaillant, the heating and ventilation specialist, and vehicle manufacturer Honda have introduced a new micro-combined heat and power (mCHP) system for Europe. It is the first European system with highly efficient gas engine technology for use in single-family homes. The mCHP system simultaneously produces environment-friendly heat and electricity and will be available in Germany by mid-year under the product name Vaillant ecoPOWER 1.0.

The highly efficient technology can be used not only in new buildings but also in existing housing. The micro-combined heat and power system can make a significant contribution to decentralised energy supply in Germany where there are approximately 12 million suitable houses.

Decentralised cogeneration produces electricity and heat in the home where it is consumed. This differs from electricity generation in conventional power stations where up to 60% of the energy is wasted due to heat loss. This makes CHP especially efficient – conventional CHP systems achieve efficiency of up to 90%. The Honda mCHP unit, the harmonised system components, and the smart energy management help the ecoPOWER 1.0 systems to deliver an outstanding overall efficiency of 92%.

It will also reduce the C02-balance of the energy supply of smaller properties under ideal usage-conditions by approximately 50% compared to conventional heating systems.

Using Honda’s long experience in the Japanese market, a new mCHP unit produces 1 kW electrical and 2.5 kW thermal output. The electrical efficiency as an indicator of the economical operation of the micro-CHP unit exceeds 26.3%, outperforming all comparable micro-CHP systems in the lower output rang according to Honda and Vaillant. The ecoPOWER 1.0 can supply up to 70% of the electricity needed by an average family house each year.

Aside from a Honda mCHP module and a heat recovery module, the system also consists of a 300-litre multi-function storage cylinder and a wall-hung gas-fired condensing boiler for peak loads and system controls. The output of the peak-load heating appliance is variable and depends on the need for heat of the respective property.

Initial findings of The EU Zoo Inquiry 2011, the most comprehensive investigation into the licensing and performance of zoos across the EU, has revealed the systemic failure of governments, competent authorities and enforcement agencies to ensure that European zoos meet their legal obligations to species conservation, education and animal welfare.

The EU Zoo Inquiry 2011 website (www.euzooinquiry.eu) will, over the coming months, reveal the details of this ground-breaking work which exposes failures, identifies the causes and provides a wealth of information on zoo regulation in 20 EU countries.

Produced by international wildlife NGO, the Born Free Foundation, on behalf of ENDCAP, The EU Zoo Inquiry 2011 is an independent study which evaluates the degree to which EC Directive 1999/22 – the Zoos Directive – has been implemented and enforced.

Daniel Turner, spokesperson for The EU Zoo Inquiry 2011 and lead investigator explains: “Over the last 18 months, our investigations into the state of over 200 zoos reveal that most zoos across the European Community are not meeting their legal obligations. As a result, millions of animals continue to be kept in poor or appalling conditions in thousands of zoos.”

He continues: “In the European Union, regulation of zoos and the protection of wild animals in captivity is the responsibility of individual Member States, which has resulted in dramatically differing zoo standards. While we have yet to publish all our findings, what I can say is that none of the countries we have surveyed are without fault. Many animals in European zoos are suffering needlessly and without urgent action by all members of the European Community, the failures we have found are likely to continue.”

Since 2005, all zoos in the majority of EU Member States have been required to meet the basic requirements of EC Directive 1999/22 and, through a licensing and inspection process, implement a series of measures that oblige zoos to conserve biodiversity, educate the public and maintain their animals in conditions that meet their species-specific needs.

Although the Directive has been transposed into law in each Member State, these laws often lack detailed provisions relating to conservation, educational and scientific activities, standards of animal welfare and effective licensing and inspection procedures – as well as clear strategies for humanely dealing with animals in the event of zoo closure. The Directive’s requirements themselves are relatively ambiguous and allow for inconsistencies in interpretation. As a consequence, Member States are failing to ensure these provisions are fully applied by the zoos within their jurisdiction.

GE has signed a ten year contract with Spanish wind developer Cobra Energia to provide advanced services for 178 GE wind turbines installed at eight wind farms across Spain. The agreement is GE’s largest wind energy services contract in Europe, and reinforces the company’s position in Europe’s highly competitive wind turbine services sector.

The agreement provides the flexibility for Cobra Energia to complete routine maintenance with GE contributing advanced solutions for advanced unplanned maintenance, troubleshooting, upgrades and parts. The GE service agreement covers Cobra Energia’s entire fleet of GE 1.5-megawatt wind turbines coming off warranty between 2010 and 2012.

A subsidiary of Spanish building company ACS, Cobra Energia operates some of the largest wind farms in Spain. Spain ranks among the world leaders in the use of renewable energy, including wind and solar.

Alternative fuels have the potential to gradually replace fossil energy sources and make transport sustainable by 2050, according to a report presented to the European Commission by the stakeholder expert group on future transport fuels. The EU will need an oil-free and largely CO2-free energy supply for transport by 2050 due to the need to reduce its impact on the environment and concerns about the security of energy supply.

The expert group has for the first time developed a comprehensive approach covering the whole transport sector. Expected demand from all transport modes could be met through a combination of electricity (batteries or hydrogen/fuel cells) and biofuels as main options, synthetic fuels (increasingly from renewable resources) as a bridging option, methane (natural gas and biomethane) as complementary fuel, and LPG as supplement.

The Commission is currently revising existing policies and the report will feed into the ‘initiative on clean transport systems’, to be launched later this year. The initiative intends to develop a consistent long-term strategy for fully meeting the energy demands of the transport sector from alternative and sustainable sources by 2050.

According to the report, alternative fuels are the ultimate solution to decarbonise transport, by gradually substituting fossil energy sources. Technical and economic viability, efficient use of primary energy sources and market acceptance, however, will be decisive for a competitive acquisition of market share by the different fuels and vehicle technologies.

There is no single candidate for fuel substitution. Fuel demand and greenhouse gas challenges will most likely require the use of a mix of fuels, which can be produced from a large variety of primary energy sources. There is broad agreement that all sustainable fuels will be needed to fully meet the expected demand.

Different modes of transport require different options of alternative fuels. Fuels with higher energy density are more suited to longer-distance operations, such as road freight transport, maritime transport, and aviation. Compatibility of new fuels with current technologies and infrastructure, or the need for disruptive system changes should be taken into account as important factors, determining in particular the economics of the different options.

Energy and utilities firms have expressed optimism concerning the growth prospects for Europe’s electricity market in 2011. A poll of 60 power equipment and service providers and their customers undertaken at Power-Gen Europe 2010 found that the majority of respondents (75%) see a strengthening in market demand next year, despite the uncertainty surrounding international climate change regulation. Indeed, only a tiny minority of respondents – just 1.5% – thought the market would weaken, although many firms have yet to be convinced that the EC’s drive towards a single electricity market will be beneficial to their business.

In a survey designed to gauge industry confidence, Power-Gen Europe, the leading event for the international power industry, found that EU targets to reduce carbon emissions and increase power efficiency, each by 20% by 2020, are expected to drive the market.

The results of the survey were announced ahead of Power-Gen Europe 2011, which is being held at Fiera Milano City in Milan, from 7-9 June. Visitors to the event will also have access to Europe’s leading renewable and nuclear energy exhibitions – Renewable Energy World Europe 2011 and Nuclear Power Europe 2011. In addition, all three events will be complemented by a comprehensive conference programme, providing participants with a deeper understanding of a wide range of industry issues.

The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) presented concrete evidence at COP16 in support of an accelerated deployment of photovoltaic (PV) solar electricity across the globe to bring clean energy to both the developed and developing world.

According to EPIA’s paradigm shift scenario, by 2020, photovoltaic (PV) energy could contribute as much as 12% of the electricity demand in Europe alone; reaching 390 GW of installed capacity and saving 220 Mt of CO2 per year. This is the equivalent to eliminating the carbon emissions from Thailand or taking 98 million cars off the road each year

“Not only is the sun an unlimited source of energy, PV electricity is available in large and small scale, in-grid and off-grid, which makes it perfect to reach all four corners of the world,” explains Eleni Despotou, EPIA’s secretary general. “Just as cell phones can bring the advantages of 21st century connectivity to regions which lack a traditional telecommunications infrastructure, PV is uniquely capable of becoming a catalyst for sustainable development by providing basic services such as lighting, drinking water, healthcare or education, which are crucial to meet the Millennium Development Goals”.

PV capacity in the Sunbelt region (comprising all countries between parallels 35 North/South) could range from 60 to 250 GW by 2020, and from 260 to 1,100 GW by 2030, which according to EPIA would represent 27-58% of the forecasted global installed PV capacity by then. A major departure from today’s situation in this area where, despite the exceptionally high solar irradiation registered, only 9% of the global installed PV capacity is accounted for.

“The Sunbelt represents now about 75% of the world population and 40% of the global electricity demand but our analysis shows that about 80% of the growth of the world electricity demand in the coming 20 years will originate from this region. COP16 negotiators must acknowledge the massive potential of PV in these countries, which remains largely untapped, and guarantee that the right policies and incentives are put in place to bring them clean and renewable energy,” he adds.